Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-11-11

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that the only reason for learning a foreign language is in order to travel to or work in a foreign country. Others say that these are not the only reasons why someone should learn a foreign language.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Learning a foreign language has become increasingly important in today's globalised world. But some people believe that people should learn a new language only for travelling or working abroad, while others argue that there are several reasons to learn a foreign language. In my opinion, although travelling and working are very important reasons, but learning a new language also offers many additional advantages.

On the one hand, travelling and working are major reasons why people learn new languages. But, it offers many additional advantages also like when people visit another country knowing the local language help them communicate with residents, understand directions and manage everday tasks more easily. Fro example, someone travelling to France who speaks french can interact with local peoples without relying on translation applications. Similarly, language skills can create better employment oppurtunities. For instance, employers prefer a person who can communicate in different languages. Therefore, learning a new language makes it easy to travel and finding work oppurtunities.

On the other hand, there are many other reasons for learning a foreign language. Firstly, it helps us understand different cultures and their way of living. Secondly, if people can communicate with different people in their language then it can help to develop respect for different cultures. also, students who know foreign language can access international research, books and academic programs. For example, a student in pakistan who knows English has better opppurtunities of finding scholarships in foreign universities.

In my opinion, learning a new language should not be only limited for travelling and employment but its also a valuable way to gain knowledge and develop personal skills.

in conclusion,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both views and state a clear opinion: travel and employment matter, but language learning also supports cultural understanding and education. The examples about speaking French while travelling and an English-speaking student seeking scholarships in Pakistan make the points relevant. However, the discussion is only partly developed. The benefits of travel and work are explained more concretely than the broader reasons, which are mostly listed; the scholarship example also illustrates educational access more than cultural understanding. The final paragraph restates your position, but the response ends with “in conclusion,” without completing a concluding sentence. Develop each main reason with a fuller explanation or example, and finish with a complete summary of your argument.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a statement of your opinion. Signposting such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “Firstly” helps readers follow the main points. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear or repetitive: “But” appears at the start of consecutive ideas, and “also” is used awkwardly to connect points. The final line, “in conclusion,” is incomplete, so the ending does not provide a finished sense of closure. Use linking expressions more selectively, make the relationship between each example and its point explicit, and complete the conclusion to strengthen the overall progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “globalised world,” “employment opportunities,” “communicate,” and “international research.” These choices allow you to express the main ideas, but the range is somewhat repetitive, particularly with “learn a new language,” “reasons,” and “opportunities.” There are also noticeable spelling and word-choice errors, such as “everday,” “Fro example,” “oppurtunities,” and “local peoples,” which reduce accuracy and polish. Some phrasing is unnatural, including “makes it easy to travel and finding work opportunities.” Aim for more precise collocations and check spelling carefully; for example, use “facilitates travel and job-seeking” and “local residents.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a contrast in the introduction and conditional phrasing in “when people visit another country.” The main ideas are generally understandable, but errors recur in sentence construction, agreement, and punctuation. For example, “although travelling and working are very important reasons, but” incorrectly combines two contrast structures; “knowing the local language help them” has a subject–verb agreement error; and “if people can communicate … then it can help” has an unclear pronoun reference. The final fragment “in conclusion,” is also incomplete. Practise building accurate complex sentences, checking that subjects agree with verbs, and ensuring every sentence has a complete main clause.

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